PRESIDENCY DISMISSES REPORTS ON BUHARI’S ENDORSEMENT OF N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE
PRESIDENCY
DISMISSES REPORTS ON BUHARI’S ENDORSEMENT OF N30,000 MINIMUM WAGE
[FILE PHOTO] President Buhari
presiding over Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting… October 18, 2018
The Presidency has
frowned at misinterpretation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s remarks when he
received the report of the Tripartite Committee on the Review of National
Minimum Wage from the committee’s chairman, Amal Pepple, on Tuesday.
A presidential source,
who preferred not to be named, said the president did not endorse N30,000 as
proposed by committee as being reported by some sections of the media.
He, however, stated
that President Buhari had expressed his commitment to ensuring the
implementation of a new National Minimum Wage.
“But the president’s
speech at the event was immediately made available to the media and nowhere
indicated that the president endorsed N30,000 Minimum wage.
“It is not the duty
of the president only to endorse a new national minimum wage. The process
involves the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the National Economic Council
(NEC) and the National Assembly.
“It is imperative for
us to always avoid misinterpreting a written speech,’’ he added.
It would be recalled
that President Buhari had pledged that the Federal Government would soon
transmit an Executive bill (on National Minimum Wage) to the National Assembly
for its passage within the shortest possible time.
He said: “Our plan is
to transmit the Executive bill to the National Assembly for its passage within
the shortest possible time.
“I am fully committed
to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.’’
Buhari also expressed
delight that the committee had successfully completed its assignment in a peaceful
and non-controversial manner.
“Let me use this
opportunity to recognize the leadership of the organised labour and private
sector as well as representatives of State and Federal Governments for all your
hard work.
“The fact that we are
here today, is a notable achievement.
“As the Executive Arm
commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in
closing any open areas presented in this report.
“I, therefore, would
like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”
The President,
however, enjoined the leadership of the labour unions as well as the Nigerian
workers to avoid being used as political weapons.
“May I therefore,
employ workers and their leaders not to allow themselves to be used as
political weapons,’’ he said.
In her remarks,
Pepple explained that the recommendation made by the committee was predicated
on the high cost of living, occasioned by the exchange rate as well as the
rising inflation rate in the country.
She said that the
committee also considered micro-economic indicators including the revenue and
expenditure profile of the government.
People expressed the
hope that the implementation of the recommended minimum wage would boost the
purchasing power of the working class, increase consumption expenditure, and
stimulate economic growth.
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